Discovering Rwanda: A Small Country with a Big Heart
Have you ever wondered how big the world is? It’s filled with countries of all sizes, from the vast expanse of Russia to the tiny island nation of Tuvalu. Nestled in the heart of Africa, there’s a small but fascinating country called Rwanda. Despite its size, Rwanda is a country that’s big on natural beauty, culture, and history.
The Size of Rwanda
Rwanda is a small country, but how small is it exactly? Well, it’s about 26,338 square kilometers. That might sound like a lot, but let’s put it into perspective.
- If you’ve ever been to the U.S state of Maryland, Rwanda is just slightly larger. Maryland is about 25,142 square kilometers, making Rwanda only about 1,196 square kilometers bigger.
- Compared to the whole of the United States, Rwanda is tiny. The U.S is about 9,525,067 square kilometers, which means you could fit about 361 Rwandas inside it!
- Rwanda is also small compared to its neighbor, the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is a whopping 2,344,858 square kilometers. You could fit almost 89 Rwandas inside the Democratic Republic of Congo!
Despite its small size, Rwanda is densely populated. It’s the most densely populated mainland African country and the fifth most densely populated country in the world among countries larger than 10,000 square kilometers.
The Geography of Rwanda
Rwanda may be small, but it’s packed with diverse landscapes. It’s known as the “land of a thousand hills” because of its many mountains. In fact, much of the country is highly elevated. The west of Rwanda is dominated by mountains, while the southeast is covered in savanna, a type of grassy plain. There are also numerous lakes scattered throughout the country.
Rwanda’s location near the equator gives it a temperate to subtropical climate. This means it has two rainy seasons and two dry seasons each year. Despite being landlocked, its high elevation keeps the climate mild and pleasant.
The Capital City: Kigali
Rwanda’s capital and largest city is Kigali. Despite being part of a small country, Kigali is a bustling city with a lot to offer. It’s known for its clean streets, friendly people, and vibrant culture.
Conclusion
Rwanda may be small in size, but it’s a country that’s big on charm. From its diverse landscapes to its bustling capital city, there’s a lot packed into this small African nation. So, the next time you’re looking at a map of the world, take a moment to appreciate the small but mighty country of Rwanda.